Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: adjusting variable lenses on each of a plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a first depth of field; capturing a number of first images with a camera of a barcode scanner at the first depth of field; outputting at least one of the number of the first images to a barcode reading process; adjusting the variable lenses of each of the plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a second depth of field; capturing a number of second images with the camera of the barcode scanner at the second depth of field; outputting at least one of the number of the second images to the barcode reading process; adjusting variable lenses on each of a plurality of barcode scanner scan-field lighting elements to a third depth of field; capturing a number of third images with the camera of the barcode scanner at the third depth of field; outputting at least one of the number of the third images to the barcode reading process; and restarting the method.
A barcode scanner system captures images of barcodes at multiple depths of field to improve scanning accuracy. The system includes a camera and multiple scan-field lighting elements, each equipped with variable lenses. The method involves adjusting the lenses to a first depth of field, capturing a set of images, and sending at least one image to a barcode reading process. The lenses are then adjusted to a second depth of field, and another set of images is captured and processed. This process repeats for a third depth of field before restarting. By scanning at different focal distances, the system increases the likelihood of capturing a clear barcode image, even if the barcode is at varying distances from the scanner. The lighting elements ensure proper illumination at each depth, enhancing image quality. This approach addresses challenges in barcode scanning where objects may be at inconsistent distances, improving reliability in dynamic environments. The method continuously cycles through the depths to maintain optimal scanning performance.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the variable lenses to each of the first, second, and third depths of field further includes adjusting a variable lens of the camera to the same respective depth of field.
A method for adjusting variable lenses in a camera system to achieve multiple depths of field involves dynamically modifying the optical properties of the lenses to focus on different focal planes. The system includes at least three variable lenses, each configured to adjust to distinct depths of field—first, second, and third—corresponding to different focal distances. When adjusting these lenses, the method ensures that each lens is set to the same respective depth of field, meaning all lenses are synchronized to focus on the same focal plane at any given time. This synchronization allows the camera to capture images or video with consistent focus across multiple lenses, which is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision imaging, such as multi-camera arrays, 3D imaging, or computational photography. The adjustment process may involve electrical, mechanical, or optical means to alter the refractive properties of the lenses, ensuring rapid and accurate focusing. The method addresses the challenge of maintaining uniform focus across multiple lenses in a compact or multi-lens system, improving image quality and reducing parallax errors.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the depths of field of the variable lenses are adjusted by changing voltages of electrical current respectively applied thereto.
This invention relates to optical systems using variable lenses, specifically focusing on adjusting the depths of field by controlling electrical current. The technology addresses the challenge of dynamically modifying the depth of field in imaging systems without mechanical adjustments, improving adaptability and response time. The system includes variable lenses whose focal lengths can be adjusted by applying electrical current. The depth of field, which determines the range of distances within which objects appear sharp, is controlled by varying the voltage of the electrical current applied to each lens. This allows for real-time adjustments to optimize image clarity based on changing conditions or user preferences. The method involves applying different voltages to each variable lens to independently adjust their depths of field. By precisely controlling the electrical current, the system can achieve fine-tuned focusing capabilities, making it suitable for applications like cameras, microscopes, or augmented reality devices. The elimination of mechanical components enhances durability and reduces the risk of wear and tear, while the electrical control mechanism enables rapid and precise adjustments. This approach improves upon traditional fixed-lens systems by providing dynamic depth-of-field control, which is particularly useful in scenarios requiring rapid focus changes or adaptive imaging. The invention leverages the inherent properties of variable lenses to offer a more flexible and efficient solution for depth-of-field management.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltages applied to the variable lenses to adjust the variable lenses to the first, second, and third depths of field are identified based on data stored in a memory of the barcode scanner.
A barcode scanner system adjusts variable lenses to focus at multiple depths of field to improve scanning accuracy. The system includes a variable lens assembly with at least three lenses, each capable of adjusting focal lengths by applying different voltages. The scanner captures images at different depths of field to ensure clear barcode detection regardless of the object's position. The voltages required to adjust the lenses to specific depths of field are determined using pre-stored data in the scanner's memory. This data maps voltage levels to known focal lengths, allowing the system to quickly and accurately adjust the lenses without recalibration. The method ensures efficient scanning by minimizing the need for manual adjustments or repeated scans, improving user experience and operational efficiency. The stored data may include calibration values or predefined voltage settings optimized for common scanning scenarios. This approach enhances the scanner's adaptability to varying distances and lighting conditions, ensuring reliable barcode reading in diverse environments.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the numbers of first, second, and third images are equal.
A method for processing image sequences involves capturing a set of images from a scene, where the images are divided into three distinct groups: first, second, and third images. The method ensures that the number of images in each group is equal. The first images are captured with a first exposure setting, the second images with a second exposure setting, and the third images with a third exposure setting. These exposure settings differ from one another, allowing the method to capture a wide dynamic range of the scene. The images from each group are then combined to produce a high dynamic range (HDR) image that retains details in both bright and dark regions of the scene. The method may also include aligning the images to correct for motion between captures and applying tone mapping to adjust the dynamic range for display. The equal distribution of images across the three exposure settings ensures balanced contributions from each exposure level, improving the quality of the final HDR image. This approach is particularly useful in photography and videography where capturing scenes with high contrast is challenging.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the numbers of first, second, and third images are set as a configuration setting based on a frame rate of the camera divided by the number of depths of field at which images are captured.
This invention relates to a method for capturing and processing images at multiple depths of field to enhance depth perception in imaging systems. The problem addressed is the need to optimize the number of images captured at different focal planes to balance computational efficiency and depth accuracy, particularly in applications like computational photography or 3D imaging. The method involves capturing a sequence of images at varying depths of field using a camera. The number of images captured at each depth is determined by a configuration setting derived from the camera's frame rate divided by the number of distinct depths of field used. This ensures that the imaging system can process the images in real-time or near real-time while maintaining sufficient depth resolution. The captured images are then processed to reconstruct a depth map or generate a final image with improved depth perception. The method may also include adjusting the exposure settings for each image to compensate for variations in lighting conditions across different depths of field. Additionally, the system may use motion estimation techniques to align the images captured at different depths, reducing artifacts caused by movement between frames. The final output can be a single enhanced image, a depth map, or a sequence of images with depth information for further processing. This approach is particularly useful in applications requiring high-quality depth reconstruction, such as augmented reality, robotics, or advanced photography.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the variable lenses are variable focus lenses.
A method for adjusting optical systems using variable focus lenses is disclosed. The invention addresses the need for dynamic optical adjustments in imaging systems, such as cameras or microscopes, where fixed lenses cannot adapt to changing conditions like varying focal lengths or environmental factors. The method involves integrating variable focus lenses into an optical system, allowing real-time adjustment of focal length without mechanical movement. These lenses can be electrically or mechanically controlled to alter their refractive properties, enabling precise and rapid focusing. The system may include multiple variable focus lenses arranged in sequence to optimize image quality under different conditions. By dynamically adjusting the focal length, the method improves performance in applications requiring rapid focus changes, such as autofocus systems, adaptive optics, or variable magnification devices. The invention eliminates the need for bulky mechanical components, reducing system size and complexity while enhancing flexibility. The variable focus lenses can be tuned individually or in combination to achieve desired optical properties, such as minimizing aberrations or optimizing depth of field. This approach is particularly useful in compact imaging systems where traditional lens adjustment mechanisms are impractical. The method ensures consistent optical performance across varying conditions, making it suitable for high-precision applications in consumer electronics, medical imaging, and industrial inspection.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the variable focus lenses are liquid lenses.
A system and method for dynamically adjusting the focus of an imaging device using variable focus lenses to improve image quality in varying conditions. The invention addresses the challenge of maintaining optimal focus in optical systems where environmental factors or object distances change, such as in surveillance cameras, microscopes, or mobile devices. The method involves detecting a change in focus conditions, such as motion blur or defocus, and automatically adjusting the focal length of the lenses to compensate. The lenses used in this system are liquid lenses, which allow for rapid and precise focal length adjustments by altering the shape of a liquid interface through electrical or mechanical means. This eliminates the need for mechanical lens movement, reducing wear and increasing response time. The system may also include sensors to monitor environmental conditions, such as temperature or humidity, which can affect liquid lens performance, and adjust the lens parameters accordingly. By dynamically adjusting the focus in real-time, the system ensures consistent image clarity and sharpness across different scenarios.
9. A barcode scanner comprising: at least one camera; at least one scan field light array, each scan field light array to illuminate a scan field of one of the cameras of the at least one camera, the lighting elements of each scan field light array including variable lenses that focus light of the lighting elements at variable depths of field; a processor, a memory device, and a barcode reading process stored in the memory that is executable by the processor; instructions stored on the memory device executable by the processor to independently perform data processing activities with regard to each of the scan field lighting arrays, the data processing activities comprising: adjusting the variable lenses on each lighting element of at least one scan field lighting array to a first depth of field; capturing a number of first images with at least one camera at the first depth of field; outputting at least one of the first images to the barcode reading process; adjusting the variable lenses on each lighting element of at least one scan field lighting array to a second depth of field; capturing a number of second images with at least one camera at the second depth of field; outputting at least one of the second images to the barcode reading process; adjusting the variable lenses on each lighting element of at least one scan field lighting array to a third depth of field; capturing a number of third images with at least one camera at the third depth of field; outputting at least one of the third images to the barcode reading process; and restarting the data processing activities.
A barcode scanner system addresses challenges in accurately scanning barcodes at varying depths within a scan field. The system includes at least one camera and multiple scan field light arrays, each illuminating a distinct scan field for one of the cameras. Each light array contains lighting elements with variable lenses that adjust the focus of emitted light to different depths of field. A processor and memory device execute a barcode reading process, along with instructions to dynamically control the lighting arrays. The system independently adjusts the variable lenses of each lighting element in a scan field light array to multiple predefined depths of field—first, second, and third—sequentially capturing images at each depth. For each depth setting, the camera captures multiple images, and at least one image from each set is processed by the barcode reading algorithm. After completing the sequence, the system restarts the process, continuously cycling through the depth adjustments to ensure optimal barcode detection across varying distances. This approach enhances scanning reliability by dynamically adapting to different object positions within the scan field.
10. The barcode scanner of claim 9 , wherein the variable lenses are liquid lenses.
A barcode scanner system includes a variable lens assembly that adjusts focal length to accommodate different barcode distances and sizes. The variable lenses are liquid lenses, which use electro-wetting or similar technology to dynamically change their optical properties. The system also includes an imaging sensor, a processor, and a memory storing instructions for decoding barcodes. The processor analyzes captured images to determine barcode quality and adjusts the liquid lenses to optimize focus and clarity. If the barcode is blurry or distorted, the system automatically refocuses by altering the liquid lens curvature. This adaptive focusing improves scanning accuracy and reduces manual adjustments. The scanner may also include illumination control to enhance barcode visibility under varying lighting conditions. The liquid lenses provide fast, precise focusing without mechanical moving parts, making the system more durable and reliable for high-volume scanning applications. The invention addresses the challenge of scanning barcodes at inconsistent distances and angles, improving efficiency in retail, logistics, and inventory management.
11. The barcode scanner of claim 9 , wherein adjusting the variable lenses to each of the first, second, and third depths of field further includes adjusting a variable lens of at least one of the at least one cameras to the same respective depth of field.
A barcode scanner system is designed to capture barcodes at varying distances by dynamically adjusting the focus of multiple cameras. The system includes at least one camera with variable lenses that can be adjusted to different depths of field. The scanner is configured to capture barcodes at three distinct depths of field: a first depth for close-range scanning, a second depth for mid-range scanning, and a third depth for long-range scanning. The adjustment of the variable lenses ensures that the cameras can focus on barcodes at these different distances. Additionally, the system may synchronize the focus of at least one camera to match the same depth of field as another camera, allowing for coordinated scanning across multiple cameras. This dynamic adjustment improves the scanner's ability to read barcodes accurately at various distances without manual refocusing, enhancing efficiency in applications such as retail, logistics, and inventory management. The system may also include image processing to optimize barcode detection and decoding across the different focal ranges.
12. The barcode scanner of claim 9 , wherein the numbers of first, second, and third images are set as a configuration setting stored in the memory based on a frame rate of the camera divided by the number of depths of field at which images are captured.
A barcode scanner system captures multiple images of a barcode at different depths of field to improve scanning accuracy. The system includes a camera configured to capture a sequence of images at varying focal distances, a memory storing configuration settings, and a processor that processes the captured images to decode the barcode. The configuration settings determine the number of images captured at each depth of field, which is calculated based on the camera's frame rate divided by the number of depths of field. This ensures optimal image capture for different scanning conditions, improving barcode recognition in varying lighting or distance scenarios. The processor may also adjust exposure settings for each image to enhance clarity. The system may further include a user interface for adjusting the configuration settings manually. The barcode scanner is designed for use in retail, logistics, or inventory management applications where reliable barcode scanning is critical. The invention addresses the challenge of accurately scanning barcodes under varying environmental conditions by dynamically adjusting image capture parameters based on camera performance and scanning requirements.
Unknown
December 24, 2019
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